Video: Celebrating ability with dancers using wheelchairs and prosthetics

Dance, in its many forms, expresses joy in motion.

To celebrate National Rehabilitation Awareness Week (Sept. 16–20), Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Michigan created “Miracles in Motion,” a video highlighting the dancing abilities of individuals with limited or no use of their legs.

The video, created in-house, features patients and hospital staff—individuals young and old alike—showcasing their unique abilities.

Chris Mills, media and external relations specialist, says the idea originated from Mary Free Bed’s desire to make a highly shareable video for the annual observance.

After searching the web, communicators came across the work of Marisa Hamamoto, who specializes in choreographing those with different abilities. Hamamoto founded Infinite Flow, a dance company dedicated to eliminating “the stigma and inequality associated with disability.”

Production

After CEO Kent Riddle enthusiastically approved the project, the team reached out to Hamamoto, who agreed to a reduced rate to work with the hospital. Hamamoto spent a week at the Grand Rapids facility, choreographing and shooting the final product.